Having a sturdy floor is crucial for a safe home where you can avoid slips and falls. Its significance becomes all the more evident when your floors are creaky after suffering from damage. Although floors are quite durable and can endure long-term use, several factors contribute to their deterioration and wear off before time.
One of the most detrimental causes of floor damage is water from leaked or broken pipes, drippy HVAC units, and/or natural disasters, such as floods. In case of consistent exposure, you may need to replace floors after every 20 or 30 years.
Flooding is the most devastating experience as it requires costly maintenance and restoration. It is estimated Hurricane Harvey alone had caused several billion dollars in damage in the US. But professional companies offered affordable Dallas Texas flooding restoration service for those who were struck by the natural disaster.
Keeping the losses in view, we’re here to guide you with floor restoration as the aftermath of flooding.
Should You Replace Flood-Damaged Floors?
In most instances, odds are you’re torn between repairing and replacing the floorboard. But as a general rule of thumb, any surface that floodwater touches must be discarded immediately.
Nevertheless, hard surfaces such as floors are an exception. Through proper cleaning and treatment, the damages can be controlled and reversed within a few weeks.
Here are six common telltale signs of floor replacement:
- Uneven or sunken surface
If there are visible dips, sagging and drooping spots on the floor even if the surface shows no sign of moisture.
- Squeaky boards
Does your floorboard make noise as you step on it? It is quite common with old hardwood floors, but if your surface hasn’t been squeaking before floods, then it’s a sign to replace or repair the subfloor.
- Musty smell
Moisture causes a damp-y smell. If flooding has paved the way for mold infestation, then you may be able to detect a strange musty or acidic scent.
- Cracked tiles
In non-porous materials such as cement slabs and tiles, exposure to moisture can lead the surface to crack up.
- Bubbling linoleum
Although linoleum is a non-porous material, it doesn’t crack up when exposed to moisture. Instead, it forms bubbly spots showing signs of a water-damaged surface that requires immediate treatment.
- Leaky ceilings
A leaky ceiling is a red flag indicating that there’s water where it shouldn’t be.
When Is It Safe To Repair Flood-Stricken Floors?
Once you’ve cleaned and dried the surface, it’s time to install new flooring. Typically, it takes 3-5 days to completely dry the floor. But the right time to place a new surface is dependent on the type of material you use.
Carpet:
If you’re just replacing the carpet, then only a small level of moisture is allowed as the material is porous. It can let the moisture seep through and prepare bedding for bacteria and mold infestation.
Hardwood Floor:
You will need to test the surface to determine the acceptable level of moisture. For hardwood floors, you’ll require a gel-based adhesive that will increase the moisture level of the surface. If the moisture level is high, it won’t let the surface set.
Polymer Flooring:
The moisture sensitivity is different for each polymer flooring type. This means the tolerance level of moisture is dependent on the type of polymer used for floor replacement. High epoxy solids will build a strong moisture barrier to control water penetration on the surface.
Cementitious urethane systems:
It is similar to cement slabs, and thus moisture level can be high when installing these types of floors. It is recommended to hire a professional flooring contractor to test the moisture level before installing the new floor.
However, if you’re trying to restore a flood-damaged floor, then ideally, the cleanup should start immediately 24-48 hours after your home is declared safe. SERVPRO is a leading fire and water restoration company in Dallas, Texas offering 24/7 emergency services. Get free of cost consultation and damage control estimates for quick and professional restoration after a fire or water-related accidents.
